Branch Tube for Sensor Connection on Pre-Insulated Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching branch pipes to pre-insulated pipelines are inefficient, often requiring oversized T-pieces or metallic materials that are not suitable for all applications, and involve complex planning and installation processes, which can lead to stability and reproducibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the simultaneous heating of the bore circumference and branch pipe end, using a conical branch pipe to ensure stable and reproducible connections by pressing the heated branch pipe into a heated bore in the medium pipe, while maintaining alignment and avoiding damage to the insulation layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a prefabricated T-piece is installed in the pre-insulated pipeline, then the branch pipe connection is established, but the T-piece is oversized for sensor access and requires complex planning before or during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection process is segmented into distinct steps: exposing the carrier pipe by removing insulation, drilling a bore, heating both the bore circumference and branch pipe simultaneously, and pressing the branch pipe into the bore. This segmentation allows for simple on-site installation without complex pre-planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation layer is removed in advance to expose the carrier pipe, and the bore is drilled before the actual connection. These preliminary actions prepare the pipeline for branch pipe attachment, eliminating the need for complex planning during installation.
2Reliability
If arc welding is used to fix the branch pipe to the carrier pipe, then the connection is stable, but metallic materials are required which are not permissible in some areas and entail increased weight and corrosion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The connection method changes from metallic arc welding to thermal bonding of plastic materials. By heating both the bore circumference and branch pipe simultaneously, the plastic materials are softened and bonded together, creating a stable connection without metallic materials, thus avoiding corrosion and weight issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection uses plastic materials for both the carrier pipe and branch pipe, creating a composite plastic-plastic bond through thermal heating. This eliminates the need for metallic welding materials and their associated problems with corrosion and weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If the branch pipe is pressed into the bore without simultaneous heating, then the connection process is simpler, but the dimensional accuracy and reproducibility of the connection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating of the bore circumference and the branch pipe are merged into a single simultaneous operation. This ensures that both surfaces reach the appropriate temperature at the same time, guaranteeing consistent bonding conditions and high dimensional accuracy while keeping the process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature is used as a controlled parameter to achieve precise bonding. By simultaneously heating both the bore and branch pipe to specific temperatures, the plastic materials reach optimal bonding conditions, ensuring high dimensional accuracy and reproducibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for easy and stable connection of plastic branch pipes to pre-insulated pipelines without hindering the medium flow, ensuring high dimensional accuracy and reproducibility, while avoiding the use of metallic materials and their associated issues.
Implementation Method 1
heating the resulting bore circumference in the carrier pipe using a heating tool, heating the branch pipe using a heating tool
Implementation Method 2
heating the resulting bore circumference in the carrier pipe using a heating tool, heating the branch pipe using a heating tool, pressing the heated branch pipe into the heated bore
Implementation Method 3
pressing the heated branch pipe into the heated bore... until the weld seam that has formed solidifies somewhat
Data Source
Figure 1~1G
Figure 2
AI summary
Method and system for attaching a branch pipe (5) to a pre-insulated pipeline (1) comprising a medium pipe (2), an insulation layer (4) and a jacket pipe (3), comprising the following steps: • Exposing a specific area of the medium pipe by cutting out and removing a cylindrical area (6) of the insulation layer of the pipeline, wherein the central axis of the cylindrical area to be cut out is perpendicular to the pipeline axis of the pre-insulated pipeline, • Drilling through the wall of the medium pipe (2) in the exposed area, • Heating the resulting bore circumference (7) in the medium pipe using a heating tool (15), • Heating the branch pipe (5) using a heating tool (15), • Pressing the heated branch pipe into the heated bore, wherein the heating of the bore circumference and the heating of the branch pipe occur simultaneously.